Centering fixture



May 26, 1970 c. EISLER CENTERING FIXTURE Filed March 8, 1967 FIG.

INVENTOR DP. CHARLES E/SLER ORNEZY United States Patent US. Cl. 269-287 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for automatically centering a bulb, for example, to align it with a tubing to be secured thereto.

This invention comprises an automatic centering device having a plurality of plates positioned in a fixture ring in an arrangement such that the plates may be moved radially inwardly toward the center of the fixture, thereby centering bulbs positioned therein, holding the bulbs automatically in true center for the tubulating operation, equally effective within a range of different bulb sizes.

Heretofore, for example, in the glass working arts, it has been necessary to provide fixtures machined to precisely the diameter of the particular bulb to be received therein. A series of such fixtures were required, each machined to a specific different, diameter to receive bulbs of correspondingly varying diameters, for tubulating or other operations. It has thus heretofore been necessary to stock a range of sizes of fixture parts and to remove fixture parts of given proportions and replace them with others of different proportions to conform to the dimensions of the bulb, resulting in loss of time, and delay in production; mistakes frequently occurred and where fixtures for specific diameters of bulbs were not in stock, delays ensued, cost of production increased, and efiiciency of the operations was reduced.

The present invention eliminates the objections above noted, providing a device wherein bulbs of a range of different diameters are automatically centered in a single fixture conformable to the different diameters by novel means automatically adjustable around the bulb, centering it and holding it securely in the fixture.

The fixture of the invention is automatically selfaligning and self-centering, as below more particularly described.

The drawings, illustrating procedures and devices useful in carrying out the invention, and the description below, are exemplary only of the invention, which shall be deemed to cover all other devices and procedures coming within the scope and purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an automatic bulb centering device embodying the invention, taken at line 1--1 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view, of typical parts in connection with which the invention may be used, and

FIG. 3 is a vertical, partly sectional and partly elevational view, taken at line 33 of FIG. 1,

As shown in the drawings, this invention comprises a device for automatically centering a part or parts such as bulb (FIGS. 2 and 3) in the fixture shown in FIG. 1 to automatically center and receive the bulb therein, as below described. Pursuant to the invention, fixture 11 is provided with a ring 12 having medially inwardly directed open flange 13. A plurality of plates-for example (and without limitation thereto) three or more plates 14 are 3,514,093 Patented May 26, 1970 "ice proportioned to be positioned in ring 12 to define essentially a bulb receiving assembly therein (FIG. 1) with space 15 between the plates enabling them to be moved radially inwardly and thus into progressively closer relation to each other, toward the center of the ring 12 and around bulb 10 positioned therein. Means including an open disc 16, slidably positioned in the ring 12, press against the plates 14, urging the latter inwardly into centering, holding relation with the bulb.

The plates may be so positioned around the bulb with means 17, such as (FIG. 1) a ball bearing or other antifriction assembly 17, intermediate plates 14, and outwardly tapered lower face 18 of disc 16, thereby urging the plates 14 inwardly into centering and holding engagement with the bulb 10.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from the disclosure herein, that the device of the invention is adapted to hold and center bulbs of a wide range of different sizes with equal eflicacy.

Complementary keying means may be provided for keying the plates 14 in their said radial movement relative to the bulb (inwardly or outwardly, as required). Said means may comprise keyways 19 provided on flanged lower end portions 20 of the plates 14 receiving keys 21 extending upwardly from the flange 13 of ring 12 or, as shown in the drawings, upwardly of disc 22 positioned on flanged portion 13 of ring 12. The flanged lower end portions 20 of the plates 14 are preferably downwardly inwardly tapered as noted at 23 (FIG. 3) to guide the antifriction means 17 intermediate said flanged portions 20 and the inclined face 18 of disc 16 and to enhance the action above described. Complementary means such as flanged nosings 24, 25 may be provided on the disc 22 and on the plates 14 to limit movement of the plates inwardly.

The invention may be used for securing a range of sizes of bulbs in the fixture for any operation desired to be performed, as, for example (and without limitation thereto) for tubulating purposes, wherein a tube, such as 30, is to be united with bulb 10, said tube being held in a part such as 31 of the fixture while a Bunsen burner or other flame source 32 is applied to the (inner lower end of) the bulb 10 and onto the (upper end of) the tube 30, uniting them as indicated in FIG. 3.

The foregoing is but one example of the practical centering uses to which the invention may be put.

While the foregoing disclosure of exemplary embodiments is made in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, the inventive scope being defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for automatically centering a bulb in a fixture having an inwardly directed medially open flanged portion,

said device comprising a plurality of plates complementary to and slidably positioned on the flanged portion of the fixture to define a bulb receiving assembly, to hold bulbs of a range of diameters in the plates,

means including a disc inserted into and vertically freely moveable in said fixture and in surrounding relation to the plates, said means pressing against said plates, and thereby urging them inwardly and into centering and holding relation with the bulb.

2. In a device for automatically centering a bulb in a fixture as set forth in claim 1, said plates being proportioned to provide spaces between the plates to facilitate their relative movement to so dispose them in centering and holding relation.

3. In a device for automatically centering a bulb in a fixture as set forth in claim 1,

said disc having a tapered lower face, said plates having flanged portions, and said means pressing against said plates further including complementary means engaging said tapered lower face of said disc and said flanged portions of said plates in complementary sliding engagement to thereby urge said plates inwardly for centering engagement with the bulb. 4. In a device for automatically centering a bulb as set forth in claim 3,

said complementary means comprising anti-friction means between the tapered lower face of the disc and the flanged portions of the plates. 5. In a device for automatically centering a bulb as set forth in claim 4,

said flanged portions of the plates comprising downwardly inwardly tapered faces to receive the antifriction means. 6. In a device for automatically centering a bulb as set forth in claim 1,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,548,730 8/ 1925 Mirfield 27956 X 2,873,121 2/1959 Hahn 279--46 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,007,798 2/ 1952 France.

20,380 1911 Great Britain.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner L. GILDEN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

